'Real Housewives' with real legal issues

By Lisa Respers France, CNN

Updated 3:30 PM ET, Tue July 30, 2013

'Real Housewives' with legal issues17 photos

Kim Richards of the "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" was arrested and accused of trespassing, resisting arrest and public intoxication on April 16, 2015. Richards has been charged with three misdemeanors in relation to her arrest.

Hide Caption

1 of 17

'Real Housewives' with legal issues17 photos

'Real Housewives' with legal issues – Apollo Nida, husband of Phaedra Parks from "Real Housewives of Atlanta," was sentenced July 8 to eight years in prison followed by five years of supervised release "for conspiring to commit mail, wire and bank fraud." It seems that may have taken a toll on the couple's marriage; Phaedra Parks has retained a lawyer with the intent to "amicably (end) her marriage," a rep for the reality star said.

Hide Caption

2 of 17

'Real Housewives' with legal issues17 photos

'Real Housewives' with legal issues – Teresa and Joe Giudice of the "Real Housewives of New Jersey" pleaded guilty in March 2014 to multiple federal fraud charges, including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and lying on mortgage and loan applications. Teresa is currently in prison and scheduled to be released in early 2016. Joe will serve 41 months after Teresa gets out so that one parent is at home with their children.

Hide Caption

3 of 17

'Real Housewives' with legal issues17 photos

'Real Housewives' with legal issues – In May 2014, former "Real Housewives of New York" cast member Bethenny Frankel testified in court during a custody battle with ex-husband Jason Hoppy for their 4-year-old daughter, Bryn. That case was settled in June, but that's not Frankel's only courtroom trouble. According to The Hollywood Reporter, in 2012 Frankel settled a $100 million lawsuit over her popular Skinnygirl Cocktail brand after a management company accused her of cutting them out of the lucrative deal when she sold her company.

'Real Housewives' with legal issues – Jacqueline Laurita and her husband, Chris, were sued by the bank that held their mortgage on accusations of missing payments. The "Real Housewives of New Jersey" cast member has also been accused of owing state taxes.

'Real Housewives' with legal issues – "Real Housewives of Orange County" star Vicki Gunvalson dodged a legal bullet when a $250,000 breach of contract suit against her was dismissed in July 2013. But boyfriend Brooks Ayers didn't fare so well in the case, which accused Gunvalson of giving Ayers a percentage of a vodka business without informing her business partner. The portion of the suit against Ayers was not dismissed.

Hide Caption

8 of 17

'Real Housewives' with legal issues17 photos

'Real Housewives' with legal issues – "Real Housewives of New York" dealt a great deal with the financial troubles of cast member Sonja Morgan. She blamed it partially on a $7 million judgment entered against her over a failed movie project she was producing.

Hide Caption

9 of 17

'Real Housewives' with legal issues17 photos

'Real Housewives' with legal issues – "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Kim Zolciak was accused of being tardy with the money in March 2013 by fellow cast member Kandi Burruss and producer Don Vito. The pair accused her of denying them payment and rights to her single "Tardy for the Party." Zolciak released a statement denying the claims.

'Real Housewives' with legal issues – "Real Housewives of Orange County" star Gretchen Rossi was awarded more than $500,000 in damages after an ongoing legal battle with a man who claimed to have had a secret relationship with her. When Jay Photoglou sued her for libel and slander, Rossi countered with accusations including stalking, battery and emotional distress.

Hide Caption

12 of 17

'Real Housewives' with legal issues17 photos

'Real Housewives' with legal issues – She is no longer on "Real Housewives of Atlanta," but Sheree Whitfield made headlines when her own divorce attorneys sued her for lack of payment. They were eventually awarded a judgment.

Hide Caption

13 of 17

'Real Housewives' with legal issues17 photos

'Real Housewives' with legal issues – Micah and Peggy Tanous of "Real Housewives of Orange County" appear to be just the latest in a long line of cast members who have had financial woes. She was reportedly in dispute with three banks over her mansion.

Hide Caption

14 of 17

'Real Housewives' with legal issues17 photos

'Real Housewives' with legal issues – A former employee of "Real Housewives of New York" cast member Cindy Barshop's filed a discrimination charge against her in 2011. The woman claimed she had been fired from Barshop's Completely Bare salon because of her race, but the suit was eventually dismissed.

Hide Caption

15 of 17

'Real Housewives' with legal issues17 photos

'Real Housewives' with legal issues – Fans of "Real Housewives of Orange County" watched as Lynne Curtin and her family were served an eviction notice in 2009. That same year, TMZ reported that a bench warrant had been issued for Curtin and her then-husband, Frank, for a $1.2 million judgment issued against them.